Another Day of Remembrance and Mourning in Newtown

December 21, 2012

(NEWTOWN, Conn.) — Grief and mourning have enveloped the community of Newtown, Conn., which continues the grim task of holding funeral services for the 20 children and six adults shot dead a week ago on Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

There were five burials on Thursday for first-graders Grace McDonnell, Benjamin Andrew Wheeler, Jesse Lewis, Allison Wyatt and Catherine Hubbard — all killed by 20-year-old Adam Lanza, who also murdered his mother before taking his own life.

Hubbard’s funeral Mass at St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown was like the other services for the smallest victims of the massacre, with parents, relatives and friends in shock while at the same time, trying to make sense of the incomprehensible.

Each child was remembered for what they loved during their short lives and how much they were loved and always will be.

In upstate Katonah, N.Y., Anne Marie Murphy was laid to rest with Cardinal Timothy Dolan extolling the 52-year-old teacher for making the ultimate sacrifice.

The cardinal told mourners at St. Mary of the Assumption Church that “Like Jesus, Annie laid down her life for her friends. Like Jesus, Annie’s life and death brings light, truth, goodness and love to a world often shrouded in darkness, evil, selfishness and death.”

One memorial service that was held away from the glare of the media spotlight was for Nancy Lanza, the 52-year-old mother of the shooter. About two dozen people attended the memorial in Kingston, N.H., with plans for a funeral to be announced later.

On Friday, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time, a moment of silence will be held for the Sandy Hook victims in Connecticut and throughout the nation at the request of Gov. Dan Malloy. He also asked that places of worship toll their bells 26 times for each of the victims.